In twelve short stories, J. J. Zerr explores both past and present conflicts that occur between genders and generations and societal and individual consciences from Missouri to Los Angeles, fighter-bomber cockpits to playgrounds, the Civil War to Vietnam, and a backyard to present day. Emerson Sharp has a decision to make. His woman, Sally, provides salvation, redemption, forgiveness, and a future. But there is only one problem: it is her future. Third grader Heiny Bauer is frantically searching for something to say when an angry nun asks him who he loves during class one day. But when he answers “baseball,” Heiny discovers the true meaning of punishment—and the difference between a good and bad nun.